Lando Norris claims he will be happy even if he never wins a Formula 1 Title again

The McLaren driver won his first Drivers' crown after a hard-fought 2025 campaign, narrowly beating Red Bull's Max Verstappen by two points and reversing a hefty deficit to teammate Oscar Piastri in the second half of the season.

Now, with a complete overhaul of the technical regulations being put into place for the upcoming 2026 calendar year, there is no guarantee that McLaren will be able to provide a car for Norris to head the F1 Drivers' Standings once again.

The Woking-based outfit were present at a pre-season shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya along with nine other teams, but they encountered issues during their testing programme with Piastri's running curtailed with a fuel systems malfunction. 

Many expect the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari to climb up the pecking order this coming season, owing to their relative pace and reliability over the course of the Barcelona Shakedown.

So is Norris hoping to add another Title to his name in 2026, or will he take a more relaxed, measured approach to the season and the years ahead?

Speaking to the media, including GrandPrix247, at a Press Conference at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England on Tuesday, Norris expressed delight in knowing that he can call himself a F1 World Champion.

He said: "Over the winter break I try to be as disconnected from everything as possible.

"Coming back to work, people say it and it is a nice thing, but when you see the number one on the car for the first time, on the helmet, the suit, it makes you rethink everything again and brings back the memories.

"It is the reality when you finally see it on something. It is cool, so I will smile," added the Briton.

When asked if he still has the same burning desire to win yet more Drivers' Titles, Norris claimed that while there is less pressure, he is still just as motivated.

He continued: "I still have many more years in Formula 1 and I want as many more championships as possible. If I never do, I am still happy I achieved one.

"I spent 20 years from starting karting to last year trying to achieve what I achieved and what we achieved as a team, and my group and my family. That was a lot of time and effort and singular focus, and then it is done.

"Not many people get to achieve their life goal. I achieved my goal in life and I am proud. If you ever see me not smiling, give me a punch and remind me," teased Norris.

Norris concluded by claiming that now that he has one F1 Championship in his locker, there is more belief that he can go out there and do it again.

"My motivation is exactly the same," he said. "If anything, I have more confidence. I am a guy who has to see something to believe it in myself. When I win a race, then I know I can do it.

"I got better at mental preparation last year. I have to find my own way. A lot of my motivation is being with the team and allowing them to have trophies and celebrate. My motivation is still as high to win again," stated the 26-year-old.